'Terror plot' suspects arrested

[Lite Beer]

'Terror plot' suspects arrested
The Sunday Nation:

KHON KAEN: -- Army says 22 in custody after being found with weapons; says they had orders from red-shirt leaders to carry out attack in Khon Kaen

Twenty-one men and one woman, who were arrested over the past two days with a cache of weapons, have confessed that they were planning a terrorist attack in Khon Kaen on the orders of red-shirt hardliners, the military said yesterday.

Maj-General Thawat Plangsuk, Second Army Region deputy commander, said the authorities were further questioning the suspects and red-shirt leaders in Udon Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima and Kalasin to find out if they were planning a coordinated attack across the northeastern region.

Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of civilian, police and military raided the Chonlapruek apartment at tambon Ban Ped in Khon Kaen's Muang district. The officers found the suspects holding a meeting in two units. Ten people were arrested in room 406 and nine were arrested in room 407. Two people were arrested in room 411.

Authorities found explosives, three hand grenades, one smoke grenade, two boxes of 202 9mm bullets and 145 11mm bullets, two gas tanks, mobile phones, a spatha knife, bullet-proof vests, wallets, torches, Volunteer Ward Democratic National training documents, their scarfs and United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship ID cards.

There were also photos of the suspects with important figures.

Thawat said that the suspects had been detained in a safe place and had confessed that they were planning to stage a coordinated attack in Khon Kaen, which would be "a model" for terrorist attacks.

Authorities are keeping a close eye on key red-shirt leaders in the northeastern provinces, including Udon Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Kalasin and Khon Kaen.

Army deputy spokesman Colonel Vinthai Suvaree said up till now 150 people were in the custody of the National Peace and Order Maintaining Council. Thirty people summoned to report had not yet turned themselves in.

He said they would be detained in no more than seven days, depending on their roles in relation to activities that disturbed peace and order. Those who faced arrest warrants since the start of the political rally would be prosecuted.

The council yesterday summoned an additional 35 people, including academics and red-shirt leaders, to report by 4pm yesterday or face two years in jail, a Bt40,000 fine or both.

Army deputy spokesman Colonel Sirichan Ngathong said following the council's meeting with the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, the council allowed the broadcast of free-to-air television stations as well as digital and satellite television stations.

It was allowed under the agreement that the operators would not broadcast distorted content that could instigate violence, Sirichan said.

She said the council's order to suspend the broadcast of 14 satellite television stations and community radio that had faced bans earlier was still in force.

Vinthai said the council would initially refrain from resorting to drastic actions but hold negotiations and talks with anti-coup protesters.

He warned that normalcy had not yet returned to the country and the public needs to realise the significance of the council's orders.

-- The Nation 2014-05-25

[valvenus]

Good to see the violent Red Shirts' plans thwarted.

[terryp]

He warned that normalcy had not yet returned to the country

Quote of the decade.....has it ever existed here?

Edited May 24, 2014 by terryp

[Chris Lawrence]

McCarthyism is the practice of making accusations of disloyalty, subversion, or treason without proper regard for evidence. It also means "the practice of making unfair allegations or using unfair investigative techniques, especially in order to restrict dissent or political criticism.

[chooka]

That's some serious weaponry on the table. Glad the fashion police arrested these terrorists.

[The stuttering parrot]

I'm finding very hard to believe any of this propaganda being dished out by this junta.

First there wasn't going to be a coup now there is .Then when there was the claimn of neutrality and there clearly isn't .

Academics scholars lawyers reporters politicians or anyone who dares speaks out against the coup are rounded up and so called detained with no reports of where they have good and what condition they are in only juntas word.

The coup flies against thai and international law and rightly so is being condemned from all corners of the globe.

A couple of hundred protesters staged a protest at victory monument and chased the soldiers away a brave act indeed by these young people however I fear that it's becoming so volatile that one spark could ignite this into full blown confrontation .

Unfortunately for this young generation they are left dismayed bewildered and frustrated by the loss of democracy and the tearing up of the constitution .

I just can't see how anyone supports these heavy handed tactics!

[cdmtdm]

why would the red shirts be planning attacks on their own turf? does not make sense to me , is the army trying to turn the Isaan people against the red shirt movement ? planning attacks in Bkk or the Sth yes but this no way .....more propaganda the same crap over and over ...

Edited May 25, 2014 by angiud
adjusted font size

[SheungWan]

^{why would the red shirts be planning attacks on their own turf? does not make sense to me , is the army trying to turn the Isaan people against the red shirt movement ? planning attacks in Bkk or the Sth yes but this no way .....more propaganda the same crap over and over ...}

You mean like the reds attacking town halls in the north and attempting to burn them down in 2010 presumably.

[SheungWan]

I'm finding very hard to believe any of this propaganda being dished out by this junta.

First there wasn't going to be a coup now there is .Then when there was the claimn of neutrality and there clearly isn't .

Academics scholars lawyers reporters politicians or anyone who dares speaks out against the coup are rounded up and so called detained with no reports of where they have good and what condition they are in only juntas word.

The coup flies against thai and international law and rightly so is being condemned from all corners of the globe.

A couple of hundred protesters staged a protest at victory monument and chased the soldiers away a brave act indeed by these young people however I fear that it's becoming so volatile that one spark could ignite this into full blown confrontation .

Unfortunately for this young generation they are left dismayed bewildered and frustrated by the loss of democracy and the tearing up of the constitution .

I just can't see how anyone supports these heavy handed tactics!

That would no doubt be the same constitution that the PTP was trying to rip up to facilitate Thaksin and his return.

[chooka]

I'm finding very hard to believe any of this propaganda being dished out by this junta.

First there wasn't going to be a coup now there is .Then when there was the claimn of neutrality and there clearly isn't .

Academics scholars lawyers reporters politicians or anyone who dares speaks out against the coup are rounded up and so called detained with no reports of where they have good and what condition they are in only juntas word.

The coup flies against thai and international law and rightly so is being condemned from all corners of the globe.

A couple of hundred protesters staged a protest at victory monument and chased the soldiers away a brave act indeed by these young people however I fear that it's becoming so volatile that one spark could ignite this into full blown confrontation .

Unfortunately for this young generation they are left dismayed bewildered and frustrated by the loss of democracy and the tearing up of the constitution .

I just can't see how anyone supports these heavy handed tactics!

They have been proven to be nothing but liars from the start and only one side, their side is allowed under martial law to be reported, publically questioning could be considered incitement so Thais just have to suck this up as gospel.

This story may very well be true but it will be hard to no for certain.

[NongKhaiKid]

^{why would the red shirts be planning attacks on their own turf? does not make sense to me , is the army trying to turn the Isaan people against the red shirt movement ? planning attacks in Bkk or the Sth yes but this no way .....more propaganda the same crap over and over ...}

You mean like the reds attacking town halls in the north and attempting to burn them down in 2010 presumably.

They succeeded completely in Udon Thani

[kimamey]

^{why would the red shirts be planning attacks on their own turf? does not make sense to me , is the army trying to turn the Isaan people against the red shirt movement ? planning attacks in Bkk or the Sth yes but this no way .....more propaganda the same crap over and over ...}

Probably attacks on the military or something anti government in an area where they have support and help. They dodn't need to get weapons into Bangkok and don't have to get out again. It's logical in that sense.

[idiot farang]

From my understanding, 2 grenades, some rounds of ammunition, not a single firearm. iow, a fraction of what Suthep's thugs had at their 'peaceful' rallies. just a little perspective, that's all.

speaking of which, personally, when the only source of news is that filtered/orchestrated/approved by a military dictatorship with no freedom of the press, a constitution THEY WROTE thrown in the bin, and political prisoners.... i take it with a grain of salt right alongside information released from north korea and other such regimes.

and whilst they are consolidating power more and more every day, now with the senate and police kicked to the curb, warning shots in CM, arrests in BKK, and, what... a couple 100 and growing political prisoners ('detained' is a washed word for UNLAWFULLY detained/imprisoned without cause)...... well, what is happening in the meantime??....

the only REAL, actual enemies of the state in South Thailand are taking advantage of a military drunk on power to attack and kill Thai citizens. strangely, of all the people i've noted, these are the only ones the Thai Army is tasked with combating. The Thai people should be outraged.

when a military seizes power with no authority, rounds up all potential rivals and keeps them hostage (comfortable or not, they are not free. zero difference right now between the Thai military and the military junta in Burma that kept their rival under house arrest also), nobody but blinded fanatics can approve. the army makes announcements that certain people must report within 4 hours or face 2 years in prison. really? this is what you want? would you also want this in your 'home' country? ahh... no. but it's ok because TiT? do you have such little regard for Thai's that you think this is ok, because it's Thailand?!?!

when journalists and academics are being rounded up, you're well over any line any fair minded person, on EITHER side, can accept.

but, ya know, it's good that the military has full control of the MBK and VM BTS stations... while the enemies of Thailand take advantage down south. Shameful.

[Payboy]

So, they were planning to wear red shirts and show photos of themselves with important figures before carrying out the attacks?

[Pimay1]

^{why would the red shirts be planning attacks on their own turf? does not make sense to me , is the army trying to turn the Isaan people against the red shirt movement ? planning attacks in Bkk or the Sth yes but this no way .....more propaganda the same crap over and over ...}

For the same reason the red shirts burned down three provincial halls in the NE in 2010. They were told to do so. No propaganda.

[NongKhaiKid]

That's some serious weaponry on the table. Glad the fashion police arrested these terrorists.

Why doesn't the military point a la BIB ?

[NongKhaiKid]

So, they were planning to wear red shirts and show photos of themselves with important figures before carrying out the attacks?

Dressing for the occasion or maybe not too bight ?

[GeorgeO]

McCarthyism is the practice of making accusations of disloyalty, subversion, or treason without proper regard for evidence. It also means "the practice of making unfair allegations or using unfair investigative techniques, especially in order to restrict dissent or political criticism.

... and that has exactly what bearing on a group of terrorists found red-handed with their war weapons...?!

[Scott]

Off-topic posts and replies deleted.

[sscsamui]

I have to say those Red shirts are pretty Dumb to commit terrorist attack in the own back yard...Thats a hell of a way to get the Isan community behind them...

I guest there afraid to try that in the South...

[Credo]

It's confusing. In the South you have insurgents with car bombs, but in the north you have terrorists with easily obtainable weapons.

[Pimay1]

So, they were planning to wear red shirts and show photos of themselves with important figures before carrying out the attacks?

Dressing for the occasion or maybe not too bight ?

Yes and yes.

[lomatopo]

Hopefully the Junta will take the time to trace the source of all these weapons.

Maybe they will be surprised at the source, and underlying corruption, they discover? OK, maybe not.

[rebelplatoon]

McCarthyism is the practice of making accusations of disloyalty, subversion, or treason without proper regard for evidence. It also means "the practice of making unfair allegations or using unfair investigative techniques, especially in order to restrict dissent or political criticism.

And what is your point? Guess just HAVING these weapons is ok? They were there in case there was a queue at the market?!

[SheungWan]

From my understanding, 2 grenades, some rounds of ammunition, not a single firearm. iow, a fraction of what Suthep's thugs had at their 'peaceful' rallies. just a little perspective, that's all.

speaking of which, personally, when the only source of news is that filtered/orchestrated/approved by a military dictatorship with no freedom of the press, a constitution THEY WROTE thrown in the bin, and political prisoners.... i take it with a grain of salt right alongside information released from north korea and other such regimes.

and whilst they are consolidating power more and more every day, now with the senate and police kicked to the curb, warning shots in CM, arrests in BKK, and, what... a couple 100 and growing political prisoners ('detained' is a washed word for UNLAWFULLY detained/imprisoned without cause)...... well, what is happening in the meantime??....

the only REAL, actual enemies of the state in South Thailand are taking advantage of a military drunk on power to attack and kill Thai citizens. strangely, of all the people i've noted, these are the only ones the Thai Army is tasked with combating. The Thai people should be outraged.

when a military seizes power with no authority, rounds up all potential rivals and keeps them hostage (comfortable or not, they are not free. zero difference right now between the Thai military and the military junta in Burma that kept their rival under house arrest also), nobody but blinded fanatics can approve. the army makes announcements that certain people must report within 4 hours or face 2 years in prison. really? this is what you want? would you also want this in your 'home' country? ahh... no. but it's ok because TiT? do you have such little regard for Thai's that you think this is ok, because it's Thailand?!?!

when journalists and academics are being rounded up, you're well over any line any fair minded person, on EITHER side, can accept.

but, ya know, it's good that the military has full control of the MBK and VM BTS stations... while the enemies of Thailand take advantage down south. Shameful.

Just little or no perspective at all. Shocking that the reds should be prevented from tooling up for a re-run of 2010. Ya know, just shameful.

[cdmtdm]

propaganda .... i find it amusing the general ( i use that word lightly) shuts down the media but allows this type of reporting to get coverage ... we are in an interesting stage here , do not think for one minute all is well ....never forget the dictators of the past ..now we are in the hands of one old mans ego driven crusade ...Mugabe , Hitler , Pol pot , Mussolini , Franco , ..get the picture ? early signs are scary ..Martial law then Coup ? ( nice forward planning) pay the rice farmers from general revenue ? detaining people with no public news of the safety of these individuals ...curfew across the whole of Thailand( why) ....meanwhile the Armies priority of resolving the problems in the Sth just get worse daily ( more deaths last night) ... time to think about leaving imo

[TimTang]

^{why would the red shirts be planning attacks on their own turf? does not make sense to me , is the army trying to turn the Isaan people against the red shirt movement ? planning attacks in Bkk or the Sth yes but this no way .....more propaganda the same crap over and over ...}

When Taksin was in power most of his support came from the rural communities while he was shunned by the urban communities. While his 'War against Drugs' was rather ruthless most rural folks welcomed it because drugs became less available for their children. Taksin also brought in the health plan which made medical treatment more accessible to the poor people in the rural regions. Given the fact that many people in Isaan are probably still Taksin supporters and believed he was operating in their interest, then it would be a good idea to turn them against the Red Shirt Movement. I don't know how successful they'll be.

I remember when Taksin was elected I thought maybe he could be Thailand's Lee Kwan Yew but eventually it became apparent that he was more interested in increasing his own power and wealth at the expense of the country to fulfill that role. Maybe there's still a benevolent dictator in Thailand that can accomplish the same as Lee Kwan Yew did for Singapore. Anand Panyarachun is always brought out of the woodwork to settle things down and would have been a likely candidate but he's not mean enough.

[Piichai]

Twenty-one men and one woman, who were arrested over the past two days with a cache of weapons, have confessed that they were planning a terrorist attack in Khon Kaen on the orders of red-shirt hardliners, the military said yesterday.

Not the first to sing, and they won't be the last.

Prayuth will systematically dismantle Thaksin's terror organization.

[BSJ]

Have a look at that welders gas cylinder on the right edge of the photo. Strap some explosives to that and you have one hell of an explosion plus a lot of shrapnel!

[american12bthai]

I'm finding very hard to believe any of this propaganda being dished out by this junta.

First there wasn't going to be a coup now there is .Then when there was the claimn of neutrality and there clearly isn't .

Academics scholars lawyers reporters politicians or anyone who dares speaks out against the coup are rounded up and so called detained with no reports of where they have good and what condition they are in only juntas word.

The coup flies against thai and international law and rightly so is being condemned from all corners of the globe.

A couple of hundred protesters staged a protest at victory monument and chased the soldiers away a brave act indeed by these young people however I fear that it's becoming so volatile that one spark could ignite this into full blown confrontation .

Unfortunately for this young generation they are left dismayed bewildered and frustrated by the loss of democracy and the tearing up of the constitution .

I just can't see how anyone supports these heavy handed tactics!

<---- thats my face reading your opinion.

young people? where are these young Red shirts? i walked through Aksa road 4 times last week. and saw hardly any 10-40yo. almost none. do you know where they are? they are online, on thai forums. social networking, talking, ... in thai. *note the "in thai" part. they may wear red (cause its cool to like hitler in thailand). but they will ultimately do what the internet tells them.

so do you think its a dumb idea to round up the "leaders and smart people"? ... would you rather have the generals decide what to do then? I like the sound of executing traitors or the very least imprisonment, or public punishment like rack em up and have people throw tomatoes at them. thats my opinion though.

these "heavy handed tactics" sure beats bkk burning down to the ground. if that happened im sure alot less people would be taking selfies.